Nelson & His World

News topic of the morning that the Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers maybe shared with the French Navy.

Now just what would have Nelson said to that, or for that matter, his World?

Stephen,

My guess is that the first thing he might have said was, 'What in the world is an aircraft carrier?' However, had he somehow known that (perhaps from that gypsy at the fair?), he probably would have said the English quivalent of 'sacre bleau' and then added, 'just think what I could have done with one of those!'

Do you have a link to an article?

It was run on Sky News this morning.

Stephen

Kester:

It was headline news on the front page of the Times this morning. Unfortunately, you have to pay for online access to the Times so I can't send a link,or breach copyright by posting it here. I'll send it by PM.

See here, including MOD denial: http://news.google.co.uk/news/more?hl=e ... cQqgIoADAA

Sorry if this is controversial - but this dumning down of our country has gone on for so many weeks and months and years now - that I'm just not sure if I care any more.

Possibly my lowest point regarding the Navy was when I saw a transsexual officer - long blonde hair and a skirt - but still with a man's voice - barking orders to a group of trainees.

I think I am just immune to it all now.

Sorry.

MB

Thanks, Tony - saved me typing it all out!

Mark:

Dare I risk you blowing a gasket by posting the old chestnut here? You'll all know it - but it always makes me smile.


http://www.campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/2 ... nelson.htm

Tony,

Thanks for the links. My guess is that it will come to nothing, and I tend to believe what the MOD say. Perhaps its about time that politicians gave up on thinking what's best for the nation in many respects and let those 'in the know', in this case the navy, have a say. However, I'm sure they said that in Nelson's day!

Mark,

Are you sure this the Royal Navy you are talking about? If it is I'd be very surprised, since at the last contact I had with it (in Gothenburg in June, for the unveiling of the Saumarez plaque) all the officers present and the naval guard in attendance were spick and span, as one might expect. The members of the guard all looked as though they had had their hair (from what you could see of it at the back) cut the previous day and all were looking very smart. The guard commander was a female lieutenant, again very smart and with what was obviously longish blonde hair, done up under her hat, which I would think is regulation. Her commands too were crisp and clear, but obviously a bit higher than a male voice. She wore trousers by the way.

Not sure there were any transexuals there!

Kester

Might have been from one of the Reservist bases - but definitely on an official public parade.

Sorry - shouldn't even have mentioned this but it's just frustration bubbling over.

MB

Mark,

That's probably it, although even in the reserve forces, I would have thought there were standards. I believe high standards of dress and behaviour have always been expected and encouraged in all three services, no matter what happens in 'civvy street'. I think that's also partly how you can often tell that a man is, or has been, in the services when dressed in civilian clothes.

As to the second part of your post – go an lie down in a darkened room for half an hour!

That's an offer I can't refuse!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!

MB

Apologies for taking this thread off-topic.

But hope I can compensate by posting this cartoon from today's Daily Mail.

The placard reads "Navy plan to merge with the French".

The police officer is saying "I think he jumped!"

I think it answers Steve's original question admirably.



MB

+

A letter to the editor in today's Times:

1st September 2010

Sir,

I wonder what Horatio Nelson would have made of your front page report “Navy plans to combine forces with the French”. I am sure it is not what he meant by his very last signal “Engage the enemy more closely.”

Peter Gutteridge
Stonely, Cambs